The Brawl Lives On In These Other Games!
Super Smash Bros. is a popular fighting and party game franchise to both casual and competitive players. The game contains an enormous roster of characters, fun and wacky stages, and an interesting array of game modes and features.
If you’ve finished playing Super Smash Bros. and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 8 picks.
Of course, for all the games we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that and see if it’s something you want to invest your time with.
So without further ado, we present 8 games to check out if you’re looking for a game like Super Smash Bros.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
Despite being the second entry in the series, Super Smash Bros Melee is one of the popular Super Smash Bros. entries next to Ultimate. It’s due to its growing competitive scene and gameplay mechanics. Ludosity saw a need for another interpretation of Melee’s gameplay and teamed up with Nickelodeon to deliver Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl.
While the game features iconic characters in Nickelodeon’s repertoire of cartoons, it doesn’t contain any live-action stars that resonated with many childhoods. Although it lacks representation, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl features gameplay similar to Super Smash Bros. Melee and a functioning net code for superb online play.
There isn’t an overarching narrative for Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl nor a final boss on par with Master Hand from the Super Smash Bros. franchise. However, Ludosity implemented similar callbacks from Melee into their title. Some of which include: Wavedashing and Waveland.
For people that enjoy the more casual aspects of Super Smash Bros., the developers incorporated familiar elements like special moves, hazardous stages, and alternate costumes.
Players can play alongside three other friends in a Free-For-All style match. However, it’s important to note that there are no items or final smash-like moves in the game.
If you want a game like Super Smash Bros. Melee, but in high definition and with Nickelodeon characters, this game is worth buying.
Rivals of Aether
While some platform fighters feature well-beloved characters, some developers tackle the genre from an original perspective. Rivals of Aether features many uniquely designed characters, stages, and battle modes to whet your appetite.
Fans of Super Smash Bros. shouldn’t expect everything from the beloved platform fighter to cross over with this title regarding items and stage builders. However, the rich gameplay and variety of modes should satisfy.
Unlike Super Smash Bros., to an extent, Rivals of Aether contains a structured plot for each character. In classic mode, players must defeat several characters before fighting their rival in Rivals of Aether.
The gameplay also feels fluid and more akin to the fast speeds of Super Smash Bros. You can also perform various competitive techniques like wave dashing, short and full hopping, among others. The characters themselves are designed to match different playstyles, thus encouraging players to try every character out.
There are also other modes such as Tetherball, inspired by volleyball, and a workshop where players can recreate many iconic gaming, cartoon, and dream characters that one would never expect in a game like this. If you’re itching for a new competitive platform fighter, Rivals of Aether is worth buying.
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale
Although Super Smash Bros. started as a franchise to celebrate Nintendo’s best properties, this has evolved into something grander. Nevertheless, it makes sense for other companies to jump on its success – PlayStation being one of them.
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale has many differences from Super Smash Bros. that help it stand out. This platform fighter features similar gameplay and colorful stages while taking a different take on platform fighters.
The story mode for each character in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale has a predetermined set of challengers from the game’s roster and a final boss. The difference between this and Super Smash Bros. is that each character receives a short cutscene explaining why they’re taking part in this battle royale.
In addition to their different routes, the developers included a rival and a cutscene. The characters have “special finishers” like in Super Smash Bros. final smashes. However, the specials in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale vary between three levels, ranging from low to high damage output.
The goal of each match is to obliterate your opponent and build up your finishers to gain victory. Another difference would be how their stages swap between iconic PlayStation franchises mid-match.
In one instance, you could be playing on a Ratchet and Clank-themed stage, but suddenly Hades from God of War arrives. These stages enhance the feeling of this game being a crossover platform fighter.
Brawlout
While most platform fighters want to follow in Super Smash Bros. footsteps, others desire to tackle the platform fighter sub-genre from a new angle. Although it captures the same format as Super Smash Bros., Brawlout manages to craft its own identity.
However, those expecting unique single-player content could be disappointed as Brawlout’s focus lies within its free-for-all, doubles, and one vs. one matches. Even though it’s a bummer that the game doesn’t feature a story mode, the gameplay adds some uniqueness.
Brawlout encourages players to throw out attacks immediately and utilize highly-skilled techniques like air dodging and wave dancing to get the upper hand over opponents. The idea of button mashing and using these techniques is more prominent in this game since you’re incapable of blocking attacks.
At the same time, Brawlout introduces a Rage Meter that you can build up over time. Furthermore, the meter allows players to dish out a powerful attack capable of ruining their opponent’s combos. The developers also incorporated different playstyles for each character and customization options to give players a new experience.
Brawlhalla
Rayman didn’t get into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but he claimed a spot on the Brawlhalla roster. Brawlhalla’s a free-to-play platform fighter with a competitive following, diverse game modes, and an extraordinary character roster.
Even though the game’s gained a massive following, some fighting game enthusiasts may not adore Brawlhalla’s paywall regarding locked content. While there are ways to obtain new fighters without spending a dime, the game makes it somewhat difficult for players to reach the currency needed to receive said character.
On the one hand, Brawlhalla offers free content that should vibe well with fans. At the same time, the game also offers complementary features that should vibe well. Players will lose if they’re sent offscreen because of their high damage percentages. There are also light and heavy attacks that resemble those in Super Smash Bros.
Another plus lies in Brawlhalla’s character roster. Despite feeling similar in playstyle, Brawlhalla’s managed to incorporate characters from multiple media. Some include Fin and Jake from Adventure Time to John Cena from WWE. It’s an extraordinary feat that’ll have some fans confused and others excited.
If you’re willing to put aside the game’s microtransactions, Brawlhalla’s a great alternative for Super Smash Bros. fans.
Digimon Rumble Arena
Despite all the attempts for game companies to come together, fans still brag over which console/franchise is better than the other. Digimon was a franchise that fell victim to comparisons as many felt it resembled Pokemon.
Unbeknownst to most fans, Digimon had their sights set on rivaling Super Smash Bros. with Digimon Rumble Arena. While it shares some similarities with Super Smash Bros., Digimon Rumble Arena features distinct modes and game mechanics.
Like Super Smash Bros., Digimon Rumble Arena contains a story mode and side minigame-like modes to keep players invested.
The story mode’s nothing too special as it follows a similar pattern to Super Smash bros. Classic Mode. Completing this mode will grant players access to three game modes that involve shooting baskets, collecting gems, and punching a bag at incredible speeds.
On the other hand, the characters control like typical Super Smash Bros. characters but feel slower in the movement department. The game also borrows elements from 2D fighting games like stamina bars and a special-gauge meter. Like many transformation finals smashes, the Digimon can digivolve into powerful Digimon once their gauge is full.
Indie Pogo
Do you like Super Smash Bros. but feel sad that some beloved indie characters missed the roster? Fear not, as Indie Pogo should satisfy those desires. While it’s not 1:1 regarding Super Smash Bros. platform fighting mechanics, the inspiration behind that title finds its way in Indie Pogo.
Indie Pogo features a vast array of indie darlings from Shovel Knight to Orcane across to the Rivals of Aether series. Like Super Smash Bros., each character brings a colorful stage that captures the essence of their beloved franchises. Some of which have no barriers to avoid dying offscreen. Fear not, as Indie Pogo’s gameplay justifies this idea.
The main difference between this title and Super Smash Bros. lies within its gameplay. The developers implemented an automatic jumping system where all characters must hop and strike their opponents off stage to get a knock-out. They also included a hit-point system (HP) instead of percentages, which means players will die if their HP reaches zero.
The game also has its fair share of modes. For instance, each character has their timeline of opponents to contend with in the arcade mode, including this game’s final boss, Crow. With every victory you claim, you’ll receive coins that you can use to unlock characters, stages, and other goodies.
Indie Pogo also features great online and local play for those that want to battle their friends. It’s a fresh new take on the platform fighting genre, and one everyone should experience.
Slap City
Before working on Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, Ludosity created a platform fighter featuring their company’s characters. Despite borrowing the concept and some mechanics from Super Smash Bros., Ludosity implemented new gameplay mechanics to help the title stand out.
With that in mind, players shouldn’t expect the game to have the largest of rosters or the best-looking graphics. This is a wacky yet competitive experience that’ll have you raging, giggling, and smiling all the way through.
Slap City brings whole new mechanics to the party. Some include ubiquitous wall jumping, strong attacks tailored to a button press, no shield movement, and a clutch mechanic.
Utilizing the clutch grants casual players a chance to defeat highly-skilled opponents. Every character feels different in playstyle, which alleviates the feeling that one character feels too similar.
The story mode in this title isn’t as grand as the Super Smash Bros. version of the concept. However, the characters receive stellar side stories and hysterical dialog but no jaw-dropping cutscenes.
However, Ludosity aims to make it feel less generic by having characters move across several areas of Slap City while including “bonus stage” like minigames for each character.
While the game doesn’t match the grand scope of Super Smash Bros., it’ll leave many players feeling satisfied with its gameplay, wacky characters, and soothing music.
So there we have it, our 8 video game picks to keep you busy after playing Super Smash Bros.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!